Thursday, January 06, 2011

Tongue Depressors

Hi, friends,

I love words, especially encouraging words, funny words, or insightful words. But words can also be my downfall. I know only too well that words can be a curse as well as a blessing.

Recently I said something at lunch with a friend that seemed funny to me, but not to her. In fact, her eyes filled with tears right after I said it. I wanted to die. She accepted my apology, and assured me her sensitivity revolved around another issue, but my heart was broken for hurting my friend. It was a hard lesson for me.

Yielding our tongue to the Lord, especially an impulsive instinct to speak up, is a measure of real maturity in Christ. James 3:2 says, “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he or she says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.”

Saying the wrong thing takes no effort at all, but speaking life-giving, spirit-filled words takes yielding our unruly tongues to the Lord.
Will you join me in seeking a spirit-controlled tongue this year?

Let me know how it's going.
Virelle